SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2259

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: JANUARY 23, 1997

 

      The Senate Health Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2259 (1R).

      This bill establishes a licensing program in the Department of Health and Senior Services for hospice care programs. Only those hospice care programs which are certified as meeting conditions for Medicare participation will qualify for licensure under the bill.

      A "hospice care program" is defined as a coordinated program of home, outpatient and inpatient care and services that provides care and services to meet the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and other special needs that are experienced during the final stages of illness, dying, and bereavement. A hospice care program will be required to provide the following care and services: nursing care; physical, occupational, or speech or language therapy; medical social services; home health aide services; medical supplies and the use of medical appliances; physician's services; short-term inpatient care; counseling services; services of volunteers; and bereavement services.

      Pursuant to the bill, a hospice care program will not be permitted to operate without a valid license from the Department of Health and Senior Services. Also, an agency or organization will not be permitted to assume, represent itself as or use the word "hospice" or any modification or derivative thereof, unless the agency or organization is licensed by the department.

      In addition, the bill provides that hospice care programs licensed under the bill are not subject to the State's certificate of need requirement for health care facilities.

      This bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 1620 (Sinagra), which the committee also reported favorably on this date.